Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame
sponsored by
Alpha
Chapter, Phi Beta Mu
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1975-78
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Dr. Charles A. "Pete" Wiley was born in Abilene, Texas on March 2, 1925. He began school in Abilene, but when his father, Dr. D. O. Wiley became band director at Texas Tech, the family moved to Lubbock where Pete graduated from Lubbock High School in 1942. He attended Texas Tech, earning a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. He received a Master's degree in Music from the University of Texas, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Colorado. While attending Tech, Pete played oboe and was drum major of the Texas Tech Band conducted by his father. He also did undergraduate study in music at the University of Kansas where he assumed the duties of drum major, and played first oboe in the band and orchestra, both conducted by his father's brother, Russell Wiley.
Pete served a year as oboe instructor at the University of Kansas, and three years as assistant band and orchestra director, with fellow Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame member, Weldon Covington, at Austin High School in Austin, Texas. In 1952, he became Director of Bands at Lamar Tech, later to become Lamar University.
The Lamar Symphonic Band, under Pete's direction, performed by invitation at TMEA conventions 5 times, the first being in 1957 and the last being in 1980. The band performed by invitation, after competitive tape auditions, at two regional and three national MENC conventions, and by invitation at three ABA International conventions, and one regional convention of the College Band Directors National Association. The symphonic band also toured Mexico on five different occasions,
traveling as far as Mexico City.
Pete is an active member of the American Bandmasters Association, Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and is the past National President of Kappa Kappa Psi. He is also a member of TBA, TMEA, and TMAA (Texas Music Adjudicators Association). He was recognized by the School Musician Magazine of as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Band Directors in the U.S. in 1977. He was selected Texas Bandmaster of the Year in 1989.
Pete and his wife, Mary Jane, reside in Ruidoso New Mexico, where he manages his publishing company, TRN – “That’s Really Nice!”